The utilization of a new immunochromatographic test in detection of Helicobacter pylori antibody from maternal and umbilical cord serum

The association between the Helicobacter pylori infection and the occurrence of gestational diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis aims to establish a more precise association between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) incidence and H. pylori infection by amalgamating findings from prior case-control and cohort studies.

METHODS

To identify relevant studies, we conducted a comprehensive search using the Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), PubMed (Medline), Web of Science (ISI), and Scopus from January 1990 to November 2022. The screening process involved reviewing the entire text, abstracts, and titles of retrieved articles. Subsequently, data extraction was performed from the selected articles, and their quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale checklist. Version 17 of STATA software was utilized for the analysis, with relative risks (RR) calculated along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) to quantify the impact of the included studies.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included eight observational and analytical studies. The combined risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women with H. pylori infection was found to be 1.97 times higher compared to pregnant women without infection (RR: 1.97; 95% CI 1.57-2.47; I2 = 0.00%; P = 0.84).

CONCLUSION

Pregnant women with H. pylori infection are at an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Adverse pregnancy outcomes and Helicobacter pylori infection: A meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Helicobacter pylori infection during pregnancy has some adverse effects, but its effects are still conflicting. This meta-analysis study was performed to assess the relationship between H pylori infection and adverse effects during pregnancy.

METHODS

Through a systematic literature search up to August 2020, 31 studies included 16 887 pregnant females at baseline and reported a total of 5852 H pylori infection positive and 8196 H pylori infection negative pregnant females, were found recording relationships between H pylori infection and adverse effects during pregnancy. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated between H pylori infection positive vs H pylori infection negative in adverse effects during pregnancy using the dichotomous methods with a random or fixed-effect model.

RESULTS

H pylori infection positive during pregnancy was significantly related to higher rate of preeclampsia (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 2.02-3.56, P < .001), foetal growth restriction (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.26-1.66, P < .001), gestational diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.51-4.59, P < .001), and hyperemesis gravidarum (OR, 14.45; 95% CI, 10.24-20.38, P < .001) compared with H pylori infection negative. However, H pylori infection positive during pregnancy was not significantly correlated with spontaneous onset of labour (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83-1.21, P = .98) compared with H pylori infection negative.

CONCLUSIONS

H pylori infection may have an independent relationship with certain adverse effects during pregnancy. H pylori infection positive during pregnancy was significantly related to a higher rate of preeclampsia, foetal growth restriction, gestational diabetes mellitus, and hyperemesis gravidarum compared with H pylori infection negative. This relationship encouraged us to recommend screening and treating females for H pylori infection before and during pregnancy to avoid any possible complications.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Amniotic Fluid May Cause Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Objectives: Limited data are available from recent trials involving pregnant women to guide Helicobacter pylori infection diagnosis. There are no data about the presence of H. pylori in the amniotic fluid as well. Furthermore, the relation between amniotic fluid H. pylori and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) has not been characterized yet. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study conducted after obtaining approval from the Ethics Committee. Pregnant women undergoing amniocentesis were enrolled in the study. The stool antigen test assessed the presence of H. pylori in amniotic fluid. A perinatologist independently performed an amniocentesis. The obtained amniotic liquid was sent to the laboratory to evaluate H. pylori infection by stool H. pylori antigen assay. We determined the rate of H. pylori in amniotic fluid and assessed relations between H. pylori infection and pregnancy outcome, including HG. Results: Between May and September 2017, we enrolled 48 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis to detect possible fetal malformations. Patients were divided into two groups regarding the HG status. There were significant differences between the groups in terms of H. pylori infection presence. Among them, 28 (58.3%) were found to have a positive H. pylori test in their amniotic fluid. The rate of HG was significantly higher (71.4%) in patients who tested positive for H. pylori in amniocentesis than the H. pylori-negative group (20%), (p<0.001). Conclusions: The study's main new finding is that presence of H. pylori in the amniotic fluid is possible. Our data suggest that H. pylori-infected amniotic fluid is associated with the experience of past HG. The current study may have important implications for HG detection and help identify patients who would benefit from future preventive strategies.

The risk of Helicobacter pylori infection for adverse pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the current evidence regarding the association between Helicobacter pylori infection during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search for relevant publications was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of science databases through November 17th, 2018. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were selected as the effect size. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one studies with a total of 22 845 participants were identified. There was significant association of H pylori infection with preeclampsia (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.88-3.34; P < 0.001), fetal growth restriction (OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.21-4.32; P = 0.01), gestational diabetes mellitus (OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.56-2.64; P < 0.001), spontaneous abortion (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.05-2.14; P = 0.024), and birth defect (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.05-2.54; P = 0.03). Sensitivity analysis showed the significant association between H pylori infection and low birthweight (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.05-2.40; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

The present meta-analysis offers proof to support that H pylori infection during pregnancy can increase the risk on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Screening and treating for H pylori infection before pregnancy should be taken into account.

The Diagnostic Tests for Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection

Helicobacter pylori causes one of the most common infections in human populations. The role of this bacterium in chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastric cancer, as well as extra-digestive diseases such as ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, is well known. Prevention and control of these diseases can occur by early diagnosis and eradication of H. pylori infection. At present, different methods have been established to detect H. pylori infection. The biopsy-based tests, which are known as invasive methods, such as rapid urease test and histology, have the highest specificity among the others. Similarly, culture of biopsy samples is used for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. It has a high specificity value, and also allows us to perform antibiotic sensitivity testing. On the contrary, polymerase chain reaction and other molecular methods have good sensitivity and specificity, and can be used for detection of H. pylori infection, its virulence factors, and eradication success after treatment. While serological tests are more appropriate for epidemiological studies, their main weakness for clinical use is low specificity. Overall, specificity and sensitivity, cost, usefulness, and limitation of tests should be considered for selection of detection methods of H. pylori in each country.

Prevalence and Associated Symptoms of Helicobacter pylori Infection among Schoolchildren in Kassala State, East of Sudan

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infections among schoolchildren and investigate the associations between H. pylori seropositivity and existence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted during a period from January to December 2012 at Kassala state, east of Sudan. Schoolchildren from different primary schools were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic characteristics and gastrointestinal symptoms were recorded from each child. A rapid immunochromatographic test was performed for the detection of H. pylori IgG antibodies. Data on patient demographic characteristics, clinical diagnosis, and findings of H. pylori infection were analyzed by simple descriptive statistics. Results. Among 431 schoolchildren, H. pylori seropositivity was found to be 21.8%. The majority of children (79; 84%) had BMI below the normal range. The most frequent symptoms associated with H. pylori infections were nausea (25.5%), followed by gastric pain (24.5%) and heart pain (20.2%). There were statistically significant differences in H. pylori seropositivity between boys and girls (p = 0.003). Conclusions. The prevalence of H. pylori infection among schoolchildren in Kassala city has been documented. Although the majority of the disease was associated with several gastrointestinal symptoms, the role of infection in the etiology of abdominal symptoms needs further investigations.